Mary Gates Research Scholarship
Purpose
Mary Gates Research Scholarships are competitive scholarships available to enhance the educational experiences of students across campus who are engaged in research with faculty. Students receive research scholarships to pursue research in a variety of disciplines. A few examples of UW undergraduates' research projects funded by a Research Scholarship include: designing a telecommunication network to bridge five Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation economies, researching genetic mechanisms that may lead to identifying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and researching the history of the ethnic media in the Pacific Northwest and examining its role within local ethnic communities.
We offer two-quarter ($4,000) and three-quarter ($6,000) scholarships, depending on the duration of your involvement in your research project. Awards are made quarterly in $2,000 installments.
Eligibility Requirements
- Research Scholarship applicants must already be engaged in research with faculty, by the beginning of the quarter in which they apply. For example, students applying for the Autumn 2006 deadline must have started their research by the beginning of autumn quarter.
- Candidates must be UW undergraduate students registered full time (at least 12 credits), pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
- During their period of funding, scholars must continue with their research and remain full-time students (except summer quarter—students need only to be enrolled for one credit to receive funds).
Applications are accepted from UW Bothell, Seattle, and Tacoma students. Candidates do not need to be U.S. citizens.
How to Apply
To apply for a Mary Gates Research Scholarship, please begin by perusing all the materials on the website pertaining to the Research Scholarship. You may also find the profiles of past Mary Gates scholarship recipients informative.
When you are ready to prepare your application for submission, begin with the Application Instructions to find out what you will need in order to apply. Applications are accepted using our online form. This form will be posted late summer 2008.Review Process
All complete applications are reviewed and discussed by the reading committee. Compelling candidates are selected to receive a Mary Gates Research Scholarship.
Applicants may stay updated on their application status by checking their application online. We will notify you via email whether or not you are awarded the Research Scholarship. The review process takes between 3 and 6 weeks.Scholar Obligations
- For the duration of the award period, you must continue to be actively engaged with your research project and faculty mentor, and remain a full-time student. (During summer quarter students need only to be enrolled for one credit to receive funds.);
- You will be asked to complete one or two brief surveys during your award period;
- Recipients of Mary Gates Research Scholarship are required to apply and present their work at the Undergraduate Research Program’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in May. A call to submit proposals for the Symposium is announced during winter quarter. If you are unable to participate in the Symposium the year you receive the scholarship, you are expected to present the following year. If you are receiving support for research from the Mary Gates Endowment through other programs such as the Friday Harbor Laboratories you are also expected to present at the Symposium.
You are also encouraged to participate in activities and events planned by the program staff and the Community of Mary Gates Scholars.